Chapter Sixteen

Charlotte

"Well did he say why he was coming?"

"Peter I told you what he said, he was in a fix and needed somewhere to stay for a while and he wasn't alone."

"So who's with him? Not Alice Cullen please."

"He didn't say and I didn't get a chance to ask him."

"Well did you tell him we already had a guest?"

"How many times are we going through this? He rang and said he was in a fix and he needed a place to stay for a while and he wasn't alone, that's it. Which part of "that's it" don't you get Peter?"

"I don't like it. The Major doesn't get in a fix, and who is he bringing?"

I threw my arms up in exasperation and walked out,

"You tell him as he seems to be having a problem understanding me."

"I'm not sure I like this, since when has The Major had a problem that I haven't sensed first? There's something funny going on here and who the hell is he bringing? Hey, you don't think he's fallen for Jane Volturi do you? Sneaked her out from under Aro's nose?"

"It could be a woman I guess"

"Garrett behave, you know as well as I do that the only woman, and I use that term very fucking loosely, in The Majors life is Alice Cullen and a more fucked up relationship I have yet to see. He's crazy about her and she leads him by the nose like a prize bull"

"They aren't mates Peter"

"I knew you couldn't stay away but so you keep saying Charlotte while I prefer to think perhaps on this occasion your gift is on the blink."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

Garrett went to gaze out the window, he knew better than to get involved in our marital tiffs, but before we could get into a full blown row he called,

"Truce guys, you have visitors"

"What? Who?"

"Not sure yet but it looks suspiciously like Volturi"

"Shit, why would they come here? You been pinching the vestal virgins again Garrett?"

"I hate to point this out but its your place they're visiting."

"True. Well lets see what they want."

Peter

The Volturi give me the fucking shivers, especially Jane and Alec but luckily they weren't here with Demetri. It was still serious though, if he was here.

"Captain Whitlock. I have a message from the Volturi for The Major"

"Well he's not here. Only me, my mate, and Garrett."

"He will come though. You are the only people he can trust. Tell him that the Volturi are tired of waiting so if he knows what is good for him he will hand Edward Cullen back his property and tell Edward to do as he promised. If not the Volturi will take action against anyone involved."

"If I had the faintest idea what you were talking about I'd be happy to but we haven't seen The Major in years."

Demetri's eyes flickered to Garrett,

"Perhaps I have it wrong, perhaps it was Garrett I sensed here, he and The Major are very similar after all."

Garrett leaning nonchalantly against the cabin wall nodded,

"So I've been told, I taught him all he knows! If I run into him I'll pass the message along although I doubt I will, its been a long time as Peter said."

"What exactly is going on anyway? The Volturi don't usually bother with insignificant ants like us"

"You speak for yourself Garrett, I like to think of myself as a Tarantula or a Scorpion, you be an ant if you like"

The unspoken threat didn't go unnoticed by Demetri but he just smiled a little absently still looking at Garrett.

"Well we've done what we came to do so I'll pass the message back to the brothers that you'll pass the message on"

"If we see him, a big if"

"As you say, if you see him."

They turned and disappeared back as quickly as they'd arrived and I gestured for Garrett to come inside.

"Would you like to tell me what the fuck that was all about?"

"You heard Demetri, The Major has something of Edward's and the Volturi want it too."

"Yeah I heard, it's what I didn't hear that concerns me more. You know Demetri?"

"Yes, I met him once before, we...worked together, tracing some English vampires that were causing problems over here. You know how much I love them."

"Yeah I may have heard you mention it once or twice I think. So what was going on with you two?"

"I'd say that Demetri knows The Major is headed this way but he's not letting on. It's a chance to warn him away. They know he's a friend of yours so they'll be watching for him."

"Why is Demetri warning us then? I mean Aro sent him, why would he double cross his masters?"

"I think he has a secret admiration for our friend. So now what do we do?"

"Well they can't come here, it's too dangerous. And if we leave now we'll be followed, they'll realize we're going to warn him." "What about you Garrett?"

"I have a sneaky suspicion that they might be watching me to so we'll have to contact him some other way. Any ideas?"

"Cell phone?"

"No Peter, they can be traced."

"OK Einstein you come up with a suggestion."

Garrett pulled out his phone

"I thought you just said..."

He smiled as he dialled a number,

"Darius, I need a favour. I have to contact The Major without being traced. Can you do it?"

"Garrett why is it you only ring when you want something? Never just a Hi Darius how are you?"

"Hi Darius, are you OK?"

"I'm fine thanks for asking. Do I want to know why I'm contacting him?"

"No"

"I take it this message is urgent?"

"Very."

"All right, just for you Garrett but you owe me."

"I know, add it to the tab!"

"Oh I will, don't you worry about that. What's the message?"

"Demetri visited the Whitlocks"

"That's it? He'll understand?"

"He'll understand. Thanks Darius."

He put the phone away and shrugged,

"If anyone can get a message to The Major without being traced he will."

"So, there's nothing we can do?"

"Not unless we want to lead the Volturi straight to him."

I hated that my friend was in danger and I couldn't help him but Garrett was right. We would be watched as his only friends.

Garrett

I hadn't the faintest idea what the hell was going on but it had to be important to send Demetri in the first place and for him to take the risk of warning us. The Major was up to his neck in some deep shit and I just hoped he got the warning in time to take a detour. I was leaving so I could try laying a false trail, it wouldn't fool Demetri of course but it didn't have to, he was playing a game of his own, one that seemed to benefit The Major and us, keeping the Volturi from our door.